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Zach (Living the Dream)

On Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at 5:15 pm, Zachary Monnett Lederer took his last breath on this earth. His loving parents, Christine and John, were standing one on each side of his bed. I arrived from Annapolis literally one minute after and joined them by Zach’s bedside.

John told me that he had not seen Zach shed one tear during these 26 months since he learned cancer had returned to his brain. I added that I had heard not one complaint come from Zach as his body gradually weakened, and John agreed. I believe it was Zach’s specific intent to live his life to the end with dignity and serve as an inspiration to all of us that we can bear whatever life brings us, and bear it with joy. He succeeded beyond belief.

Zach and I had many conversations about what happens after we die. We both “knew” as distinguished from “believed” that we would continue on in some form.

For years I have searched for words to express what my soul tells me occurs after our bodies leave this earth, and then on Wednesday, Father Richard Frechette, a friend of my mom’s who runs orphanages and a hospital in Haiti, sent me a message including the words of a Christian monk from the past: "when we die we lose neither our awareness nor our understanding, rather, our awareness becomes as wide as the sky and our understanding as deep as the sea."

Zach and I loved walking along the seashore together marveling at the sky and sea. This week Zach has been with me in the sunrise each morning and in the sunset each evening.

Before turning in at night I have gone out on the top deck off of our bedroom. The stars have been shining brilliantly through the white clouds illuminated by the moon and moving swiftly through the sky. I talk to Zach at these times about what a blessing it is to be his grandma.

More than once during the past year Zach has told me "the moment I die will be the most beautiful moment of my life." He has now experienced that most beautiful moment and his beautiful soul has moved on to eternity with awareness and understanding.

Peace and Love,

Liz

Zach’s memorial mass service will be held on Friday, March 21st at 3 pm, at Church of the Resurrection, 3155 Paulskirk Drive, Ellicott City, Md 21042

Howard County Association of Community Services Audrey Robbins Legacy Award

Audrey Robbins Legacy Award goes to State Delegate Elizabeth Bobo

"Members of the ACS Audrey Robbins Awards Committee surprised State Delegate Elizabeth Bobo with the news that she has been chosen to receive The Legacy Award at the 2014 Luncheon to be held on March 28, 2014. Delegate Bobo has been a consistent advocate for everyone in our community, but particularly the most vulnerable. We hope that you will join us as we recognize her leadership in making Howard County a place where all can thrive.”

I am grateful to ACS for this recognition of my work over the years in our Howard County community and the State of Maryland. We are privileged to live in one of the very wealthiest counties in our nation, and with that privilege comes a responsibility. There is no reason why everyone in our county can't live with dignity with the essentials of food, clothing, and shelter.

We also have the unique example of Jim Rouse, the founder of the new town of Columbia, who built a community based on economic and racial inclusion. Rather than claiming that we are “The Best”, let’s work to do “our best.”

Celebrating Peter Seeger

Sunday, March 30, 2 - 4 pm, Oliver's Carriage House, Kittamaqundi Community meeting space, 5410 Leaf Treader Way off of Vantage Point Rd., Town Center, Columbia. Local guitarist Bruce Casteel and J.D. Smith on harmonica will lead a sing along of some of Pete's favorites.

Pete continues to inspire me after all these years. We need to continue his spirit in working to rid our nation and the world of social and economic injustice.

Maryland General Assembly 2014 Legislative Session

There are only three weeks remaining in the session. I am very aware that they are also the last three weeks of my last legislative session serving as an elected delegate, and I am deeply at peace with that.

Health Care

I realize that I have included many articles on this topic, the reason being that it is extremely important that we recover from the problems of our state’s health benefits website as thoroughly as possible. I continue to believe strongly that, when all is said and done, I will look back on the health benefits program as one of the best public policy accomplishments during my years in office. Until we reach that point, it is essential that we operate with complete transparency.

Housing

These articles, particularly the one containing stats on the counties, including Howard, are more than disturbing. This is an example of an area where we, possibly the richest county in the U.S., should be excelling, not falling back to the bottom of the heap.